1:17 PM — More than 7,000 people have signed a petition against the Pope's state-funded visit to the UK. The petition was set up two days ago by the National Secular Society, which estimates the Pontiff's four-day visit in September will cost the UK £20 million.

11:58 AM — Equality minister Harriet Harman has backed down over an amendment on who churches can employ. She is thought to have made the climbdown to avoid a continuing dispute with church leaders in the face of the Pope's visit in September.

1st February 2010

4:02 PM — The National Secular Society has announced a " large-scale campaign" to protest against Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Britain in September. The pontiff has attacked gay rights on a number of occasions.

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